Empowering Independence

Episode 13: Navigating Medicare with Ginny Curtis-Gillespie

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with Medicare expert Ginny Curtis about the tips and tricks to getting the best out of your Medicare coverage.
 
Born in Chicago, Ginny moved to OK when she was a teenager. She got licensed in 1985.She began selling products, as well as major medical, long-term care and annuities to state and federal employees. In the year 2000, her mother became Medicare eligible. Ginny, believing that she had all the “right answers”, suggested a plan for her. Before the end of that year, she learned that she had given her mother a poor advice, costing Ginny’s family over $10,000. Ginny took this personally and began learning how to better advise her mother and friends. Since then, she has prided herself in giving accurate information, to make sure that she never advises any of her clients the wrong plan for their needs. In 2013, she opened a brokerage agency called MCM Insurance LLC with her daughter and spiritual son. They have spent 9 years training agents to assist clients in picking the right plans that correspond to their needs. She now educates clients on how to properly use their insurance to get the most out of their plans though educational seminars called Navigating Medicare (individuals and groups). MCM has offices in OKC, Tulsa, Ardmore and Shawnee.
Connect with Ginny at https://www.navigatingmedicare.com/
 
 

Episode 12: Tales of a Professional Guardian with John Branscum

Cohosts Marilyn Olson and Amy Shirola talk with professional guardian John Branscum about some of the things he encounters as a Professional Guardian.
 
In addition to a degree in Oral Communications from Central State University (1975) your Guardian Angel client care specialist, John Branscum, brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to the field of home client care.
With a Junior Accounting degree from Blackwood Business College and over 23 years of individual tax preparation experience John is prepared to handle the day to day, and month to month duties of balancing bank statements, paying bills, preparing tax returns and performing other financial duties for Guardian Angel’s clients.
John has also been a licensed securities representative. This background allows him to work with his clients’ financial advisors to keep their money and other assets safe while earning as much as is practical given the client’s specific risk tolerance, legal situation, economic conditions and other pertinent factors. Because he is no longer practicing in the securities industry his clients never have to worry whether any advice he gives is self-serving. 
Additionally, John has nine years experience running an ERISA 501 self insured health insurance program with over 1,000 insured. This experience allows John to communicate more effectively with health professionals to obtain the best health care for his clients. And, when needed he can negotiate and execute care plans that keep his clients living comfortably at home long after others are placed in nursing homes.
John has been aware of guardianships since before he was six years old when his father became guardian for an infirm relative. John has been a legally appointed guardian for others since 1992.

Episode 11: Hitting a nerve with Nerve Renewal

Marilyn and co-host Amy talk with Mark Cope and Glenn Cope about the passion that began Nerve Renewal and how it offers hope to so many in pain.
Glenn Cope II is a Co-Founder and Director of Marketing who holds a BA in Advertising and has over 30 yrs experience in both traditional print, broadcast media, and internet marketing. His experience comes from both freelance and corporate settings. Glenn also has entrepreneurial experience with small business development and operations in retail, textile manufacturing, and the healthcare industries. 
Mark Cope is new to Nerve Renewal in the role of Physician Relations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and brings 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in marketing, photography, and business development. His role with Nerve Renewal is primarily in physician and patient education about the drug-free approach to pain relief that Nerve Renewal offers.
 
Website: https://nerverenewalnow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NerveRenewalNeuropathyClinic
 
 

Episode 10: Mature Moves with Chris and Dr. Nikki Buckelew

Cohosts Marilyn Olson and Amy Shirola talk with Chris and Dr. Nikki Buckelew of Mature Moves/Buckelew Realty about why they have a passion for mature adults and helping them transition between living spaces.
 
Chris and Dr. Nikki Buckelew are native Oklahomans who own and operate three Oklahoma City based senior-centered businesses. They have been married for nearly 25 years and have two children and four grandchildren ranging in age from 2 months to 11 years. 
OKC Mature Moves is a professional senior move management company dedicated to all things downsizing. Their team of Certified Senior Downsizing Coaches assist with locating senior living options, move preparations and arrangements, as well as hands-on relocation and resettling services. Buckelew Realty Group is a real estate brokerage made up of Certified Senior Housing Professionals who specialize in downsizers, empty nesters, and family estates. Seniors Real Estate Institute is a nationally known coaching and training organization serving residential real estate professionals catering to the 55 and older market. 
In addition to their business endeavors, the Buckelews are founders of the Senior Living Truth Series, which is now in its 8th year. This monthly educational program offers candid conversations around topics important to mature adults in and around the Oklahoma City area. 
Chris grew up in Northwest Oklahoma City and graduated from Northeast High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from University of Central Oklahoma. Chris serves on the Board of Directors of VillagesOKC. 
Nikki grew up in Geary, Oklahoma and graduated from Geary High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in Family Studies and Gerontology and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, both from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) in Bethany, and a doctorate in psychology from Northcentral University. She continues to be actively involved at SNU as an adjunct professor in the Professional Graduate Studies department. 
Both Chris and Nikki are Certified John Maxwell Leadership Coaches and Master Practitioners of NLP. 
In their spare time, they enjoy boating at Lake Tenkiller, scuba diving, and traveling anywhere the water is warm and blue. 
To learn more about the Buckelews and their services, we have provided links to their websites and social media pages below: 
 
https://www.okcmaturemoves.com
https://www.facebook.com/okcmaturemoves
 
https://www.seniorlivingtruthseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/SLTSOKC
 
https://www.buckelewgroup.com
https://www.facebook.com/buckelewrealtygroup
 
https://www.seniorsrealestateinstitute.com
https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsRealEstateInstitute
 

Episode 9: Listener Aging Q&A

Join Host Marilyn and co-host Britni as they answer some listener questions about aging!
 
1:15 - Downsizing and planning for aging, we don't want to move from our neighborhood.  What are our options?
3:32 - I'm worried about what will happen to my pets should something happen to me.
6:38 - Mom is in memory care, constantly at the ER, what do I do?
10:32 - Mom has fallen and refuses to use a cane, she lives alone, what do we do?
 

Episode 8: You can be independent with low vision while Aging with Lauren Branch

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with CEO of NewView Oklahoma about how NewView helps those with vision impairments or low vision to be come independent.
 
Lauren Branch is the President/CEO of NewView Oklahoma and has been in this role for almost 26 years. A Houston, Texas native, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Texas A&M University. Lauren serves as the current board chairperson of VisionServe Alliance and is also a board member of National Industries for the Blind and the National Association for the Employment of People Who are Blind. She has devoted most of her career working in the blindness field for NewView Oklahoma. During her tenure at NewView, she has led the organization from a small non-profit to a statewide comprehensive service provider and employer for thousands of Oklahomans experiencing vision loss. Her awards include Oklahoma’s 50 Making a Difference Woman of the Year Circle of Excellence, Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO’s Circle of Excellence and the Pat Potts Vision Award through the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. She was most recently recognized by the Journal Record as a Leader in Workplace Diversity.
Website: https://nvoklahoma.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newviewoklahoma
 

Episode 7: Getting your affairs in order with attorney Rick Martin

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with attorney Rick Martin about why you need to get your affairs in order before something happens and just what exactly you need to have done to prepare.
 
Rick Martin is the owner and managing partner of The Bethany Law Center, LLP. Rick’s desire is to provide personalized service to individuals and small business clients in the greater Oklahoma City area. Rick specializes in Trusts and other forms of Estate Planning, as well as small business matters. Born in Kansas City and raised in Oregon, Rick Martin moved to the Oklahoma City area when he was 13 and has lived here ever since. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science with honors from Southern Nazarene University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. Rick began his work as an attorney in 1986. In 2011, Rick and his wife, Susan, purchased the building that would become the offices of The Bethany Law Center, LLP. Rick and Susan have two wonderfully talented children, who showcase the best and worst of their parents. When not at the office, Rick enjoys reading, current events, finding new recipes, traveling, and playing golf. 
 
Website: www.bethanylaw.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethanyLawCenter

Episode 6: Handling Multiple Life Changes in the same Season with Shelley Stuchman

Co-hosts Dana and Marilyn talk with Shelley Stutchman about going through multiple life changes in one season, and how her approach made a difference.
Shelley is a recent breast cancer survivor and is writing a book shedding light on the physical and emotional things that happen to you that no one talks about. Shelley works full-time as a community liaison at Epworth at Home, Home Health and Hospice. Shelley founded Lemonade Ladies, a support group for women over forty. Shelley owned and operated Blooming Rose, a mental-health group for women that could not afford to see a counselor. She received the Governor’s Accommodation for work she did with Workforce Oklahoma and was the first woman chair in her area. Shelley is a professional speaker with years of training in Toastmasters. She is a regular contributor to CAREGIVER magazine. Shelley and her husband Neil are the creators of Medicare Jet-Setters. Shelley has been published in numerous magazines, including Forbes. She is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. Shelley is married to Neil Johnson, who is a Pink Tie Guy. He was nominated for this honor by the Susan B. Komen association. Shelley can be reached at Medicarejetsetters@gmail.com for speaking and book-signing engagements.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MedicareJetsetters
 

Episode 5: Listener Aging Q&A

Host Marilyn Olson along with co-host Britni Bergman answer our listeners questions about aging.
01:20 - Conflicted about whether or not to take children to funerals
02:56 - When is a good time to plan?
04:39 - #1 thing to do to prepare
06:17 - My 3 siblings and I are not on the same page about what to do about our parents.
10:26 - When do I need to start talking to my parents about an aging plan?
14:18 - Our friends are rapidly declining, where can we turn?
16:38 - What are the important legal documents to have?
 
For more information about The GIFT workshop click here
 
To submit a question for the next Q&A episode email it to info@villagesokc.org
 
 

Episode 4: Aging Unbound with Hon. Lance Robertson, Jeromy Buchanan and Karen Poteet

Host Marilyn Olson has a conversation with Oklahoma Aging services directors both past and present on Oklahoma's Master Plan for Aging: Aging Unbound, and just what that means for aging Oklahomans.
https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/cap/mpa.html
Want to attend state held listening sessions?  For more information click here. You can also pick up your copy of the Oklahoma Senior Journal at any listening session in the month of May
 
Jeromy Buchanan is the Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services (CAP) for Oklahoma Human Services. In this capacity, Buchanan manages an array of programs and servicesdesigned to increase options for older adults to live safely and independently, improve stability of residents in long-term care facilities, meet basic nutritional needs of older adults, and increase jobopportunities for adults through expanded workforce programs.Jeromy holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and is a Lean Six Sigma black belt. Jeromy’s personal mission is help build an Aging system that connects Oklahomans to the services andsupports they need to stay connected to and thrive in their community.
 
The Honorable Lance A. Robertson is the former US Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the HHS Administration for Community Living (ACL).  Nominated by the President and confirmed by the US Senate, he was responsible for over three dozen programs that served and represented the needs of 140 million older Americans and persons with disabilities.  Prior to federal service, from 2007 to 2017, he served as the Director of Aging Services for the State of Oklahoma.  He started his career in higher education and served as an administrator for twelve years at Oklahoma State University.  He is a US Army Veteran. 
 
Karen A. Poteet received her Master of Public Administration degree from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Nazarene University. She had over 36 years of experience inhuman services in two state systems, Illinois and Oklahoma, prior to her retirement from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) in 2020. She held positions of increasing responsibility within OKDHS. From 2006-2010, she served as the Post Adoption Programs Manager and as the Oklahoma Administrator of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance. From 2010-2013, she was the Project Manage of two federally funded grants which developed innovations to find and keep foster parents and support kinship caregivers.She completed her human services career by serving as the Director of Aging Services from 2017 through 2020 where she had oversight over the Medicaid waiver which serves the most individuals inOklahoma as well as multiple additional federal and state funded programs. Under her tenure, the Oklahoma Caregiver Coalition was created and launched. She currently serves as the Chief Grants Officer of her alma mater, Southern Nazarene University.